iPad 2: Specs and Feature Comparisons Are Not the
Point

The Register's Tony Smith summarizes:

"What can I say? Yes, the iPad 2 is
better than the iPad one. Yes, it's
superior to the current crop of competitors. Apple has ticked the empty
boxes on the features list that, left unchecked, would have left its
tablet in the lee of this year's other new models.

"There, review done, move on to the next one...."

Actually, Smith continues with a full, multipage review, noting that
to reduce the comparison to a consideration of the specifications -
particularly in comparison not only to what the iPad left out, but what
rivals have pledged to put in - is to miss the point, which is that
Apple is fine. Smith says that getting the iPad 2 in your hands shows
that while it may be a small step forward on paper, it's a leap ahead
in your hands.

Which iPad 2 Should I Buy?

Cnet Crave's Flora Graham notes that there are six different basic
versions of the iPad 2, and that which one you choose depends on how
you're going to use it - and how much you're willing to spend, but her
advice [with which your editor concurs] is to buy the 16 GB iPad 2,
unless you're a music or movie collector who absolutely must take all
your media with you. She does observe that if you can't stand to be
disconnected, and you don't want to be forced to find a hotspot, you
can splurge on an iPad 2 with 3G built-in.

iPad 2: Still the Best Tablet You Can Buy?

Pocket Lint's Paul Lamkin says the iPad 2 is a mixed kettle of fish
that, like any envisaged result of rumor and murmur, ticks some of the
boxes that we expected yet leaves us wanting when it comes to
others.

In his review, Lamkin considers the differences between the original
and the iPad 2, and how these alterations affect his overall impression
of the device, while at the same time treating the iPad 2 as an
entirely new device on the market (which it is) and giving it the fair
assessment that it deserves. What it won't do (mercifully) is to
baby-walk you through all the aspects of the iPad and the iOS
ecosystem.

iPad 1 vs. iPad 2 Glass: The Predecessor Doesn't
Stand a Chance

ifixyouri.com's Chris says:

"We had some pieces of glass laying around the shop and wanted to
see if the original iPad glass held up any better than the iPad 2. Is
the iPad 2 going to hold up and better than the original? See for
yourself. Its definitely lighter, thinner, and yes, stronger."

iPad 2 Glass Is Thinner, Yet Much Stronger Than
iPad 1 Glass

Edible Apple reports that one reason the iPad 2 is noticeably
thinner and lighter than the original iPad is because its glass display
is 27% thinner than the one used on the original, but that this
shouldn't translate into more broken screens since the iPad 2's glass
display is made of a more flexible material, rumored to be Asahi Glass
Co's Dragontrail Glass technology which is similar to Corning's Gorilla
Glass.

iPhone 4 Survives 1,000' Fall from Plane

The Register's Caleb Cox reports that while it would be exaggerating
to say the iPhone 4 is indestructible, one surviving a 1,000' drop from
an aircraft without a parachute certainly takes the notion of rugged to
a whole new level. Cox is referencing a "whoops" experience of US Air
Force Combat Controller Ron Walker, a skydiving Jump Master who says he
leaned out of an aircraft door to look for landmarks and dropped his
iPhone. Walker was able to activate the
Find My iPhone app and locate his dropped phone a couple miles away
in a woodland area, finding it in good working order without a scratch
or speck of dirt. Notably the iPhone was inside a Griffin Motif TPU
case and an aftermarket metal backing.

Alternate Payment Method for MobileMe Coming

MacNews.de's Sebastian Trepesch reports that Apple's MobileMe
service is due for a revamp, although not in the way most have been
hoping for, noting that macnews.de has been told by the company's
support staff that Apple plans to implement "alternate payment methods"
in the near future. At the moment, it's impossible for users to renew
their subscriptions to the 79€/year service without a credit
card, and actual MobileMe cardboard boxes with activation codes haven't
been sold in Apple's stores since February of this year - a problem for
users who don't have a credit card.

Trepesch says that Apple's support hotline affirmed that there is
something in the works for all those noncredit card holders out there.
"We're currently working on offering customers alternate payment
options," a support staffer told him, without being able to provide a
specific due date."

iFixit iPad 2 3G GSM & CDMA Teardown

PR: iFixit notes that its
device teardowns provide a look inside a device and should not be used
as disassembly instructions. That's what iFixit's Guides are for. There
is not yet a iPad 2 3G repair manual, but you can start one. See the
Web page for details.

iFixit staff note that Apple decided to offer the iPad 2 in a number
of flavors that would make Baskin Robbins proud: two colors, three
storage capacities, and three connectivity choices (WiFi only, 3G GSM
on AT&T, and 3G CDMA on Verizon). All in all, that's 18 different
versions of essentially the same device.

The original iFixit iPad 2 teardown
featured the black 16 GB WiFi only version. There's absolutely no
reason why they'd take apart 17 other iPads, but they felt it
worthwhile to at least document the differences between the WiFi only,
GSM, and CDMA versions.

BlackBerry Bans Police Checkpoint Apps; Apple
Doesn't

The Register's Bill Ray reports that responding to complaints from
four US senators, RIM has removed two applications that warn users when
they're approaching a police checkpoint from its App World store, but
so far Apple has yet to follow suit.

"Not that RIM's ban will prevent anyone using the applications: in
fact the publishers of both
Trapster and
PhantomALERT report downloads have increased significantly since
the complaint attracted media attention, and as RIM doesn't restrict
what applications can be installed, the removal from the official app
store isn't such a big deal."

Ray notes that the controversial applications don't do anything
illegal, relying on user reports of enforcement activity to the benefit
of others, but showing the locations of checkpoints on a map is a step
too far for some, despite the publishers' dubious assertions that it
prevents drunk driving.

Ray says that the real issue in play here is whether it's
appropriate for corporate application stores to act as ethical filters
over what applications we run on our mobile devices, and so, whose
ethics should be applied? He notes that Apple apparently removed the
Exodus International alleged "cure for homosexuality" app on grounds
that it was "offensive to large groups of people" who organized
protests and complained loudly (see
last week's iNews Review for more details), but so far Trapster and
PhantomALERT have only prompted complaints from four people, who happen
to be elected senators - not enough for Apple, more than enough for
RIM, and nearly enough for Google.

IDC Forecasts Windows Phone to Outsell iOS by
2015

The worldwide smartphone market is expected to grow 49.2% in 2011 as
more consumers and enterprise users turn in their feature phones for
smartphones with more advanced features. According to the International
Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker,
smartphone vendors will ship more than 450 million smartphones in 2011
compared to the 303.4 million units shipped in 2010. Moreover, the
smartphone market will grow more than four times faster than the
overall mobile phone market.

"Overall market growth in 2010 was exceptional," says Kevin Restivo,
senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone
Tracker. "Last year's high market growth was due in part to pent-up
demand from a challenging 2009, when many buyers held off on mobile
phone purchases. The expected market growth for 2011, while still
notable, will taper off somewhat from what we saw in 2010."

To capture the strong consumer demand for smartphones, manufacturers
have unleashed a steady stream of new models and features over the past
two years. The battle for mind and market share has also resulted in
stiff competition among the smartphone operating systems.

"Android is poised to take over as the leading smartphone operating
system in 2011 after racing into the number 2 position in 2010,"
comments Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile
Devices Technology and Trends team. "For the vendors who made Android
the cornerstone of their smartphone strategies, 2010 was the coming-out
party. This year will see a coronation party as these same vendors
broaden and deepen their portfolios to reach more customers,
particularly first-time smartphone users."

IDC predicts that Nokia's recent announcement that it will shift
from Symbian to Windows Phone will have significant implications for
the smartphone market going forward. "Up until the launch of Windows
Phone 7 last year, Microsoft has steadily lost market share while other
operating systems have brought forth new and appealing experiences,"
added Llamas. "The new alliance brings together Nokia's hardware
capabilities and Windows Phone's differentiated platform. We expect the
first devices to launch in 2012. By 2015, IDC expects Windows Phone to
be number 2 operating system worldwide behind Android."

Apps & Services

Text'nDrive Voice Texting App More Popular than
Angry Birds Free

PR:
Text'nDrive is now the 13th most downloaded free app on the App Store,
ahead of apps like Angry Birds Free, Facebook, and Groupon App.
Text'nDrive was the first iPhone application to read and reply to
messages with intelligent speech technology, and it has more than one
million users.

Designed to help reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers
distracted by their cell phones, Text'nDrive uses an intelligent,
multilingual text-to-speech technology. This allows motorists to listen
to and respond to incoming messages by voice using any handsfree
device, while keeping their focus on driving.

Compatible with
all mobile carriers and with any handsfree device speakerphone, wired
and Bluetooth headset, and vehicle handsfree kits, Text'nDrive allows
workers and professionals to stay productive while being safer and more
responsible drivers.

As of February
2011, 30 states and the District of Columbia, as well as all 10
Canadian provinces, have created legislation to ban texting while
driving. A recent study from the University of Utah finds that people
who send text messages while driving are six times more likely to be in
an accident.

On iPhone Text'nDrive offers a safe alternative to emailing and
driving in order to reduce the number of car crashes. On Android &
BlackBerry the application can also read and reply to SMS messages by
voice in addition to emails.

Users may download the free version of the Text'nDrive app from the
iTunes Store, the Android Market or the BlackBerry App World and
upgrade to the Pro Version for more features.

The New York Times Releases Major Update to News
Application for iPhone

PR: The New York Times has released a major update to its
NYTimes iPhone application, adding videos, slide shows and more content
from blogs, in addition to the world-class articles that users have
grown to expect. The new app also incorporates improved navigation, and
breaking news alerts enable users to stay on top of important news when
the app is closed.

The NYTimes iPhone application is a
free app designed for iPhone and iPod touch. The update is now
available to current users, and new users can download the app from the
App Store.

When The Times launches its digital subscription model on March 28,
the Top News section of the app will remain free. To delve deeper into
the apps other sections, users will be asked to become digital
subscribers. Details and pricing for these plans is available at
nytimes.com/access.

"The NYTimes iPhone app is an incredibly popular way for our readers
to access Times content on the go," says Denise Warren, senior vice
president and chief advertising officer, "The New York Times Media
Group and general manager, NYTimes.com. As design and technology have
evolved, we are updating the app to ensure that our readers are getting
the best possible reading experience with more quality content and
better functionality."

Features of the NYTimes iPhone app include:

Expanded content videos, slide shows and all blogs are now
available as standalone sections (Video, Photos, Blogs) and integrated
throughout other sections and articles.

Improved navigation navigation tools have been redesigned based on
user feedback for easier use and content discoverability. Readers can
now swipe between articles to enjoy a more continuous news
experience.

A Recently Viewed section makes it easy to access recently-read
articles. Links at the bottom of articles enable readers to continue
reading additional content in the section without returning to a
section front.

Breaking news - breaking news delivered via Push Notification allow
users to stay on top of breaking news even when the app is closed.

Share options share articles, videos and slide shows with a full
set of tools, including Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and copy link.

The NYTimes iPhone app is available from the App Store on iPhone or
iPod touch.

iEV 1.1 Electric Car Simulator

PR: Munich based companies DotTribes and The Green &
Energy Consulting Group has released iEV 1.1, the world's first
electric car simulator for 3G, 3GS and 4G iPhone devices. This app
enables people to simulate an electric vehicle's battery and range
behavior while they are driving their normal car. With this information
drivers can get to know their personal range and battery capacity
requirements before buying an electric car. This is an update adding
new features requested by the users. iEV brings Electric Vehicles (EV)
closer to the people, showing that the perceived range problem is not
an issue for most drivers. It also helps its users to save money when
they have to choose which EV to buy.

The results are specific to the driver's personal behavior,
geography, and the car itself. Users can set the car's configuration
from presets (Small or Medium sized car, SUV, etc.), or they can
configure the variables one by one, such as car weight, area, and
aerodynamics. Users then need only to press start and begin driving.
When they arrive at the destination, they press stop and the results
are presented immediately to them. After several uses the app creates a
driver's profile, showing battery consumption and ranges in daily
average and peaks.

The results can be compared with the specifications of any Electric
Vehicle on the market to decide if that EV is right for the driver. All
EV manufacturers show the battery size in the car specs in kWh
(Kilowatts per hour); iEV shows the battery consumption in the same
way, making it very easy to compare.

To develop this application a team of software and energy engineers
modified a hybrid car, changing parts and adding sensors. Tests were
run for over a year to create the statistics for the simulation. Then,
the formula was adapted to the iPhone GPS until the results were
satisfactory and with a very low error margin.

People do not have to wait for the electric cars to come on the
market. They can begin practicing right now with iEV, finding out how
they can change the way they drive to consume less energy and help the
planet.

iEV 1.1 adds the following new functions to the app:

Trip durations were added to the drive history and drive
profiles

People can exclude individual trips from the driver profile
calculations

Users can now recalculate the trips altogether after they have
changed the car configuration

New layouts for the app tutorial

Minor fixes

Device Requirements:

iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad

Requires iPhone OS 4.2 or later

2.2 MB

iEV 1.1 is $3.99 (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and
available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Lifestyle
category.

F1 News 2011: The Source for the Latest Formula 1
News

PR: NewsApps has announced the release of F1 News 2011,
where you can read all the latest news as the 2010 Formula 1 Grand Prix
motor racing season comes to an enthralling climax. Catch all the
latest news on Alonso, Webber, Vettel, Hamilton, and Button, along with
Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren as they fight for the championship as
well as every other driver and team.

F1 news
and championship information at your fingertips 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. Like one of Lewis Hamilton's mechanics it's the app that
never sleeps. Want to see that track layout for the next race or read
the latest Williams tweets? It's all in your pocket. Unique to the HD
version are the following features:

Native iPad support

Unique, user-defined latest news feed. Meaning the news you wish to
see is presented to you in one view

Background updating of news on the latest news feed

Ad free

Additional information on each circuit on the calendar

Enriched driver profiles

Enhanced constructor profiles

F1 News 2011 HD contains the best in motor racing from Formula One
news, driver and constructor championship standings, calendar &
track information along with driver & constructor knowledge to
weather and more. No need to scan dozens of newspapers, driver's
Twitter feeds, team web sites and fan sites, it's all here brought
together in one app. Read the views of Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton,
Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher as well as all the happenings at
Ferrari, McLaren Mercedes, Renault, Williams, Red Bull and EVERY other
team.

From FIA rulings and the latest pit wall chatter on team orders to
the rain showers at Spa Francorchamps and Jenson Button's holiday
plans, this app has it covered. Download this app today and follow the
Formula One 2011 season through to its stunning climax.

Features:

The best in Formula 1 news combining your favourite sources in one
view and individually. Once downloaded, news is stored for offline
reading for your connivance

Driver and Constructors standings along with enhanced information
such as Team, Nationality, Base, Team Principle, etc.

F1 News 2011 is available worldwide exclusively through the App
Store in the Sports category for $1.99. It follows the highly
successful 2010 version, F1 News 2010, was in the top 10 in the UK
Sports category on the App Store and was featured in "New &
Noteworthy" in the Sports category during its first days of
release.

iPad 2 to Computer Transfer Ultimate Software for
Windows

PR: To provide users with much richer and stronger
transferring functions than Apple iTunes, Aiseesoft has introduced the
outstanding iPad 2 to Computer Transfer Ultimate. This fantastic iPad 2
transferring software can help users transfer and backup iPad 2 files
on computer.

This iPad 2 to Computer Transfer Ultimate supports abundant iPad 2
file types, such as music, movie, TV shows, podcast, iTunes U, eBooks,
pictures, voice memos, camera shot, etc. It can transfer all these
files from an iPad 2 to a local disk with super high speed and best
transferring speed. Also it can export iPad 2 files to iTunes for
backup, and it supports the latest iTunes version.

This iPad 2 to Computer transferring software also supports iPhone
and iPod. It can backup iPhone SMS, contacts and call lists as database
files on a computer.

With this iPad 2 to Computer Transfer Ultimate, there is no need to
worry about losing files. Moreover, this software possesses lots of
user-friendly features. Its built-in player can help preview music,
movies, podcasts, pictures, etc. And it facilitates the transferring
process through allowing users to define what kind of iPad 2 files
should be shown or not, and sort the files by Artist, Album and
Genres.

If you have no access to so many functions of this transfer
ultimate, you should pay attention to the iPad 2 to Computer Transfer
Standard. This transfer software limits its functions on transferring
video, audio and picture files. System Requirements:

Skip the Wallet or Purse with Speck's CandyShell
Card Case for iPhone 4

PR: Speck's latest iPhone 4 case, the CandyShell Card,
is designed for those times when you're on the go and traveling light.
It features all the protection you've come to expect from Speck's
award-winning line of CandyShell cases, as well as the ability to
securely hold up to three cards (ID or credit cards) plus some cash in
its built-in slot. The CandyShell Card is the case to carry when you
don't want to be weighed down with a bulky wallet or a heavy purse.

"Increasingly, we've noticed that people are looking for cases
that do more than simply protect their devices," says Bryan Hynecek,
Speck's Director of Design. "The CandyShell Card is a highly protective
and functional iPhone 4 case that's an awesome choice for anyone
looking to travel lighter. It lets folks leave their wallet or purse at
home."

With CandyShell Card, inserting and removing cards is a snap. Cards
slide into the rubberized slot, and slide out just as easily for quick
access with the handy thumb release. CandyShell Card has been designed
to fit both the Verizon and AT&T models of the iPhone 4. It comes
in three unique color combinations: NightDrive Grey, GrapeEscape
Purple, and Moonsicle White.

The CandyShell Card is available now for $39.95 in stores and on the
Speck website.

Harman Brings Entertainment Experience on iPad to
Life with JBL OnBeat Speaker Dock

PR: Harman International Industries, Incorporated has
announced the release of its new JBL OnBeat loudspeaker docking
station, a JBL dock to bring your next-generation entertainment
experience to life, delivering realistic, dynamic sound with any iPad,
iPhone or iPod device.

Bringing Netflix movie streaming, gaming, YouTube clip watching
and more to an entirely new level with Harman's signature sound
quality, the JBL OnBeat dock features dual Phoenix full-range
transducers with computer-optimized DSP equalization, creating a richly
detailed soundstage. A universal connector that firmly docks an iPad,
iPod or iPhone lets you rotate iPod and iPhone screens to portrait or
landscape orientation for the best video display, and an infrared
remote (IR) puts you in full control of system functions and music
navigation from across the room.

Stream action-packed movies, intimate family photos and videos, and
share the hottest content on the Web in your living room with family
and friends through the addition of an optional composite cable that
can send video content from the device directly to your TV.

"Imagine what moviegoers must have felt when they heard sound
paired with film for the first time in history. This is what we hope to
accomplish for the next era of entertainment experiences with products
such as the JBL OnBeat for the iPad, iPhone and more," says David
Slump, president, Harman Consumer Division. "Our goal is to awaken our
senses to the power that great sound and music can have on bringing
media to life through the most cutting-edge devices out on the market
right now."

The new JBL OnBeat also features a USB connection to sync and charge
devices when connected to the iTunes music library (cable not
included), and a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack auxiliary input that connects
to virtually all portable media devices (cable not included). The dock
features a dynamic JBL Weave design styling that is as sculptural as it
is conversation-starting. Brackets to attach the iPod, iPhone and iPad
to the dock are included in the package. The JBL OnBeat also serves as
a charging station for your iPod or iPhone while it is docked.

The JBL OnBeat loudspeaker dock will be available in April in black
for $149.95.

RingO Mounting System: Quickly Mount Your iPad 2
to Any Surface

PR: Vogels, the European market leader in Audio/Video
& TV mounting solutions, announces the worldwide launch of the new
patented RingO universal tablet mounting system for iPad 2, iPad, and
Galaxy Tab, with new versions for additional tablets available at a
later date. The RingO system allows users to mount their tablet onto
virtually any surface: wall, car, tile, boat, to enjoy watching movies,
reading the latest news, or using any app, hands free.

Snap On & Off to Quickly Move iPad 2 from One Location to
Next

RingO's key feature is its simplicity its modular design lets
users quickly snap the RingO Cover onto a tablet, which then can be
clicked securely onto a variety of RingO mounts: Wall Mount, Car Mount,
Flexible Mount and others. Just quickly squeeze the mount clips to
release the iPad from the mount, click quickly onto the next Mount, and
your tablet is ready to use wherever its needed.

RingO to Support a Range of Major Tablets

Introduced in Europe at IFA in Berlin on September 2010, under
the name Mount & Cover, Vogels launched the mounting system for
original iPad in the U.S. at Macworld Expo in San Francisco, January
2011, under the new RingO trademarked name, which better captures the
essence of the circular mounting design.

Albert Zeeman, VP Innovations at Vogels, says: "We simply
needed a better name for our patented system. Mount & Cover was
focused on the original iPad, while RingO will support a range of major
tablets. It is our expectation that tablet and accessory manufacturers
will be excited by the potential, and will seek to license RingO for
incorporation into their products."

RingO for iPad 2 and other tablets will be available internationally
in late April from major retailers and Apple Premium Resellers, priced
at: $69.99 for the Starter Pack and $99.99 for the Car Pack.